Germany: Jewish Courtyard in Speyer

Yesterday I got three postcards: two from Germany and one from France.

One of the cards from Germany shows the Mikvah at Speyer's Jewish Courtyard. In the Middle Ages was Speyer the hometown of one of the most important Jewish communities in northern Europe. The Jewish Courtyard was the central area of the Jewish quarter, as the synagogues for men and women were located there. The Mikvah was first mentioned in 1126 and is the oldest surviving Mikvah in Central Europe. As part of the ShUM cities it seeks for the inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

EDIT: The ShUM Sites of Speyer, Worms and Mainz were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2021.

Stamp:
1000 years Neunburg vorm Wald (issued 01-03-2017)

Thank You very much Stefanie!

France: Berck-sur-Mer

Yesterday I got three postcards: one from France and two from Germany.

The card from France shows various views of Berck-sur-Mer. Berck-sur-Mer is a commune in northern France. It is known for the International Kite Festival.

With a great stamp:
The Great Hours of History (from set of two) (issued 06-06-2016)
with a special postmark from the philatelic shop in Boulogne-sur-Mer

Thank You very much William!

cover from France

Yesterday I got not only three postcards but also a cover from France.

Stamps:

Fête du Timbre (whole set) (issued 11-03-2017)

with First Day Special Postmark

Thank You very much William!

Portugal: Guimarães

Yesterday I got two postcards: one from Portugal and one from Germany.

The card from Portugal shows various views of Guimarães. Guimarães is a city in northern Portugal. It is said to be the birthplace of the first Portuguese king and is thus known as birthplace of the Portuguese nationality. It was also the first capital of Portugal. Guimarães is an exceptionally well-preserved and authentic example of the evolution of a medieval settlement into a modern town. Since 2001 is the Historic Centre of Guimarães on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In 2012 it was the European Capital of Culture.

Stamp:
Extreme Sports (from set of three) (issued 12-02-2015)

Thank You very much Inês!

Germany: Junkerhaus in Lemgo

Yesterday I got two postcards: one from Germany and one from Portugal.

The card from Germany shows the Junkerhaus in Lemgo. The Junkerhaus was built by the architect Karl Junker from 1891 until his death in 1912. It is a half-timbered house with many imaginative carvings and fluent passages between house and furnishing. Its architecture is diffucult to classify art historically. Today it houses a museum about life and work of Karl Junker.

Stamp:
Lighthouses (from set of two) (issued 07-07-2016)

Thank You very much Marcel!

My Trip to Goslar

Yesterday I was in Goslar and there I bought some cards for my collection.

The Market Church of Goslar was first mentioned in 1151. It is known for its Romanesque windows. 

The Imperial Palace of Goslar was the favourite residence of the Salian emperors. It is the oldest, largest and best-preserved secular building in Germany.

In the Middle Ages Goslar was home to the largest Romanesque church in Northern Germany, the Collegiate Church of Saint Simon and Saint Jude. Due to its decrepitude it was demolished in the 19th century. Today only the porch is left.

The Pewter Figure Museum is housed in the old Lohmühle. It displayes the history of Goslar in dioramas with pewter figures and is said to be the most beautiful museum of its kind in Germany.

The Goslar Museum is a historical and geological museum. It was opened in 1922. Its collection include important medieval artworks from the Collegiate Church of Saint Simon and Saint Jude.

Germany: Sites of the Reformation

Today I got a cover from Germany.

Stamp:

Bavarian Forest (issued 02-01-2016)

Inside were five German postcards showing various sights of Wittenberg.

The first one shows the Melanchthonhaus. The Melanchthonhaus was the residence of the reformer Philipp Melanchthon. It is said to be one of the most beautiful bourgeois houses in Wittenberg and since 1954 it houses a museum about the reformer. As one of the Luther Memorials in Wittenberg is the Melanchthonhaus since 1996 on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The second one shows the Town and Parish Church of St Mary's. The Town and Parish Church of St Mary's is considered to be the mother-church of the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther and Johannes Bugenhagen preached there and the first mass in German was celebrated in the church. As one of the Luther Memorials in Wittenberg is the church since 1996 on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The third one shows the Castle Church. The Castle Church was built between 1490 and 1511 at the behest of Frederick III, Elector of Saxony, in the Late Gothic style. It forms a part of the Wittenberg Castle and is the site where Martin Luther posted his Ninety-five Theses in 1517, which contributed to the church's nickname "Reformation Church". As one of the Luther Memorials in Wittenberg is the Castle Church since 1996 on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Another one shows the Theses Doors at the the Castle Church. The Theses Doors are massive commemorative bronze doors, which were mounted onto the jambs where the original wooden ones had been located before they were destroyed. The Theses Doors were inaugurated in 1858. Martin Luther's Ninety-five Theses are inscribed in their original Latin form on the doors.

The last one shows the Cranach-Hof at Markt 4. The Cranach-Hof at Markt 4 was bought by Lucas Cranach the Elder in 1512. There he run his famous painter's workshop and print shop. It is also considered to be the birth house of Lucas Cranach the Younger. It seeks for the inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Thank You very much Vanessa!

Germany: Basilica of Saint Vitus in Mönchengladbach

On Saturday I got a postcard from Germany.

It shows the Basilica of Saint Vitus in Mönchengladbach. The Basilica of Saint Vitus is a Catholic church. Between 974 and 1812 it was the abbey church of the Gladbach Abbey. Since 1974 it is a basilica minor.

Stamp:
Lighthouses (from set of two) (issued 07-07-2016)

Thank You very much Marcel!

Germany: German Mining Museum in Bochum

On Friday I got a postcard from Germany.

It shows the German Mining Museum in Bochum. The German Mining Museum was opened in 1930. It is one of the most visited museums in Germany and the largest mining museum in the World.

Stamp:
Lighthouses (from set of two) (issued 07-07-2016)

Thank You very much Marcel!

Belgium: Belgian Specialities

On Thursday I got a postcard from Belgium.

It shows various specialities of Belgium.

Belgian beer (lower left corner) is produced since the 12th century. Almost 1500 types of beer are produced in the country. The Beer culture in Belgium is since 2016 an Intangible Heritage of the UNESCO.

Stamp:
Supermoon (from set of five) (issued 22-11-2016)
with a special postmark from Brussels.

Thank You very much William!

Germany: Landtag of North Rhine-Westphalia

On Wednesday I got a postcard from Germany.

It shows the building of the Landtag of North Rhine-Westphalia. The building of the Landtag was constructed between 1981 and 1988. It is located in Düsseldorf and was the third newly-constructed building of a Landtag in Germany after World War II. 

Stamp:
Lighthouses (from set of two) (issued 07-07-2016)

Thank You very much Marcel!

Sri Lanka: Polonnaruwa

On Tuesday I got two postcards: my first card from Sri Lanka and one from Germany.

Sri Lanka is an island country in the Indian Ocean. In 1948 the country became independent from the United Kingdom. Due to its rich cultural heritage it is a popular tourist destination. Sri Lanka is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement. Colombo is the country's capital and largest city.

The card shows the Galpotha in Polonnaruwa. Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka. Since 1982 is the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Stamp:
Unseen Sri Lanka (from set of twelve) (issued 02-12-2016)

Thank You very much Nimasha!

Germany: Brühl

On Tuesday I got two postcards: one from Germany and my first card from Sri Lanka.

The card from Germany shows various views of Brühl. Brühl is a town in the German State of North Rine-Westphalia. In the 16th century it became the residence of the Prince Bishops of Cologne. Today it is a popular tourist destination.

The Castles of Augustusburg and Falkenlust were built in the 18th century at the behest of Clemens August of Bavaria, the Archbishop-Elector of Cologne. They belong to the most important baroque and rococo buildings in Germany. Since 1984 are both castles on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Max Ernst Museum (left column middle and lower pictures) was opened in 2005. It houses a large collection of paintings and sculptures of Max Ernst, the pioneer of the Dada movement and Surrealism, who was born in Brühl in 1891. 

Stamp:
Lighthouses (from set of two) (issued 07-07-2016)

Thank You very much Marcel!

Thailand: King Bhumibol

Yesterday I got a postcard from Thailand.

It shows the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Bhumibol Adulyadej was the King of Thailand between 1946 and his death in October 2016. After his death the most Thais are deeply mourning the loss of their beloved King.

You can read more about Bhumibol's life on my History Blog.

With a matching stamp and another great stamp:
72nd Birthday of King Bhumibol (from set of nine) (issued 10-09-1999)
Thaipex '05 (from set of four) (issued 03-08-2005)

Thank You very much Jobbo!

Germany: Hubertusburg

On Saturday I got a postcard from Germany.

It shows Hubertusburg. Hubertusburg is a Baroque palace and hunting lodge in Wermsdorf in the German State of Saxony. The forests around Wermsdorf were used as hunting ground since the 16th century and between 1721 and 1724 the palace was extended by Augustus the Strong. In 1763 the Peace of Hubertusburg was signed at the palace.

Stamp:
Naumburg Cathedral (issued 06-10-2016)

Thank You very much Julian!